The man who is on trial by lay judges for throwing a homemade explosive toward then Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in April 2023 told the Wakayama District Court that he took the action because he wanted attention.

Kimura Ryuji said at his hearing on February 6 that he wanted to express his dissatisfaction with Japan's electoral system and thought he can attract attention if he makes a loud noise near a celebrity like the prime minister.

Kimura has been charged on five counts, including attempted murder, but he has denied any intent to kill.

The 25-year-old defendant is suspected of tossing the explosive at a fishing port in Wakayama where Kishida was about to make a stump speech. Two people sustained minor injuries.

Kimura asserted that he did not know Kishida was engaged in election campaign activities and had no intention to obstruct them.

As for an expert's testimony that the explosive was as powerful as a handgun, Kimura said he thought it looked safe to him.

Meanwhile, he expressed words of remorse, saying he did something terrible and will not get involved in politics in the future.